The grand plan for Catzpaws ... can it be done?

Catzpaws

So far, I feel that I'm doing okay on the MSE front. But, I think there's definite room for improvement - like on non-essential spending and going out. OH is now on board with the plan, which I'm really pleased about as I don't feel that it's just me doing this. I feel that we are FINALLY facing up to the fact that we are pretty heavily in debt (as per sig)- and we are trying to tackle things in a proactive and positive way.

The first step of 'the dream' would be to become debt-free before we have children. That would be truly amazing. Just a couple of weeks ago, my goal was to pay off a few of the debts. Now, I think that - with focus and determination - it could well be possible to get 100% debt-free in less than 2 years. Our hols are in Nov, so I will need to see how the finances stack up after then...

Onwards and upwards....

ZiggyStardust_2

Well done CP! Great that your OH is on board, think that's half the battle! You have such a good incentive as well

honeybear_2

Sounds like you're doing great, Catz :T

Catzpaws

ZiggyStardust wrote: »

Well done CP! Great that your OH is on board, think that's half the battle! You have such a good incentive as well

Yeah, it does help - a lot. He's now starting to tell ME if he's had a NSD... :rotfl:....!

Catzpaws

Had a very MSE night last night. After a bit of a long and cr*ppy day in work, went for a run (new alternative to vino) and felt much better afterwards...

Made a lovely curry for dinner with left over/frozen veg and (for OH) chicken from freezer. Used the HM brocolli & potato soup as the base and added lots of fresh chilli, curry powder and lovely spices. Cooked rice with tumeric/stock cube. Used up random cheap naan breads in cupboard that had been lurking there for ages... Was really delicious. Left over rice will be used for stuffed peppers tonight . Taken out sausage casserole to defrost for OH.

Had to remind OH that he NEEDS to ring credit card co. We don't want to pay £85 interest this month!!! (Note to self: remind him again later).

On a less happy front, my bosses have mentioned that they will need to make some redundancies in our team. Not general knowledge yet. Shouldn't affect me, but it's all a bit depressing. Also, still no updates about the redundancy situation in hubby's workplace. Hopefully no news is good news. We would be very stuck if OH lost his job. Well, the way I see things at the moment is that I can't influence this, so there is no point worrying about it...

CP x

ZiggyStardust_2

Catzpaws wrote: »

Made a lovely curry for dinner with left over/frozen veg and (for OH) chicken from freezer. Used the HM brocolli & potato soup as the base and added lots of fresh chilli, curry powder and lovely spices. Cooked rice with tumeric/stock cube. Used up random cheap naan breads in cupboard that had been lurking there for ages... Was really delicious. Left over rice will be used for stuffed peppers tonight . Taken out sausage casserole to defrost for OH.

Check you out, Ms Nigella! Sounds fab

honeybear_2

ZiggyStardust wrote: »

Check you out, Ms Nigella! Sounds fab

I second that! Can I come round for tea sometime?

ps. well done on the run as opposed vino plan :T

Catzpaws

After having a NSD yesterday, I've had to pull out the debit card this lunch time to buy some groceries and dog food.

I wrote out a meal plan last night for the rest of the week and decided to split shopping between Lidl and Aldi - basing meals/snacks around the fruit and veg on offer. We go through a lot of fresh fruit and veg - I'm a vegetable fiend and OH is a fruit fiend, so these Aldi/Lidl offers are pretty good for us.

Sadly, Lidl were out of some of the items, so hopefully, I can pick these up from Aldi later. Hopefully my second shopping trip will result in less impromptu purchases (I'm not good at sticking to the list as I like to buy stuff on offer! I mean, how could I not resist Fox's biscuits for 30p a packet?).

Grocery spend - £9
Dog food - £20
total so far - £29

I think I'll need to be more strict with myself with the grocery budget/challenge... In retrospect, I think it was always going to be a tough one anyway as I included my shop at the end of last month... and we started that with an expensive shop because of carelessness (lack of planning, one of the trips was also after a visit to the pub, which resulted in several random purchases... ).

Spoke to OH last night about the credit card application. It turns out that it takes 10-14-ish working days to get it. Looks like we'll be hit by that interest this month. Damn those credit card people... why can't they give us the money free, hey? :rolleyes:


CP x

Lemon_Tree

i'm not amazing with lists when i go shopping either, but it's even worse when OH is with me, he can't seem to buy just one of anything even when it's not on offer.
I bet i know where you're spud peeler went - in the bin with the peelings, i've caught myself doing it quite a few times.

Catzpaws

Yep, I would imagine you’re right on this one, Lemon Tree. Anyhoo, this new one from Tesco is better as it’s a swivel-y one and makes the chore of peeling things somewhat less painful.

Personal finances

I checked my personal bank account online last night. It’s a bit depressing actually as I’m £897 overdrawn already (partly as I put away £300 for hols). I still have another two weeks until pay day. In between now and then I have £200 of S.O.s/D.D.s to leave my account. Also, I have a weekend away and birthday present to buy. Great!

Right, with this in mind, my aim is:


*** To be overdrawn by no more than £1250 by pay day ***

Okay, written in stone (or pixels.. which is damn near), which means that I need to stick to it now…

Tonight’s plans

Tonight, I can either go for a run, long walk, grocery shop, clean the house, ironing or any MSE combination of the above. Trouble is, I don’t want to do any of these… I want to go the pub!!!
Since last Monday, I’ve led a booze-less existence during the week. However, I now feel my resistance crumbling away. I think I’ve been almost TOO *controlled* and feel my inner rebel starting to resist these new rules. Arrgh!